Every brand and every solution provider today is considering the value of connecting products and services to the internet. We make these smart connected products look great, ensure that the hardware does the job and deliver a smooth user experience.
Only a few years ago the value of ‘things’ was defined by the physical properties of the object: functionality, the durability of materials or perhaps the aesthetic quality. Services and communication, which we could call the ‘rest’, were rarely an important part of the value proposition.
We simply couldn’t imagine how ‘the rest’ would expand the value of a product or become more important than the physical object itself. This was until information technology revolutionized products by enormous advancements in processing power, wireless connectivity, and component miniaturization.
Products have become complex systems that combine hardware, sensors, data storage, software, and connectivity in infinite ways. Succesful propositions combine physical and digital products and services into one seamless integrated experience.
The thing and the rest have become equal partners, one can’t exist without the other. However, ‘the thing’ is limited in physical properties and can only be innovated so often whereas the possibilities of ‘the rest’ are only bound by the creativity of those who control it. We offer the creativity and the skills needed to maximize the value of an integrated approach to the Internet of Things.
Only a few years ago the value of ‘things’ was defined by the physical properties of the object: functionality, the durability of materials or perhaps the aesthetic quality. Services and communication, which we could call the ‘rest’, were rarely an important part of the value proposition.
We simply couldn’t imagine how ‘the rest’ would expand the value of a product or become more important than the physical object itself. This was until information technology revolutionized products by enormous advancements in processing power, wireless connectivity, and component miniaturization.
Products have become complex systems that combine hardware, sensors, data storage, software, and connectivity in infinite ways. Succesful propositions combine physical and digital products and services into one seamless integrated experience.
The thing and the rest have become equal partners, one can’t exist without the other. However, ‘the thing’ is limited in physical properties and can only be innovated so often whereas the possibilities of ‘the rest’ are only bound by the creativity of those who control it. We offer the creativity and the skills needed to maximize the value of an integrated approach to the Internet of Things.
In many ways the innovation process of smart products or IoT applications is not radically different from what we are used to. Nevertheless there are few reasons why we treat these projects differently.
Because there is a blue sky of possible value propositions we have developed a structured method that helps us to identify low hanging fruit, potential money makers as well as radical innovations. In our IoT workshops with clients or other stakeholders we develop a roadmap that places different value propositions in time and in specific market segments. It defines the functionalities these propositions need and how they will generate revenue. It is the first step in the development of every connected product wether it is B2B equipment or a true consumer product.
In the consecutive phases of development interaction plays a very big role. Smart products are all about interaction and the way interaction between user and technology works will greatly influence people’s behaviour. In order to test if the interaction has the preferred behavior as a result, we prototype our innovations often, fast and cheap!
In our prototyping workshop we do not only make the physical object including the electronic connecting capabilities. We also prototype the interface. With our design skills we define the way it looks, feels and sometimes the way it sounds. Always telling the right story. With these prototypes we can test and study how people interact with products and which variables can be tweaked to obtain the desired behavior. It is an iterative process leading to an optimized result.
In many ways the innovation process of smart products or IoT applications is not radically different from what we are used to. Nevertheless there are few reasons why we treat these projects differently.
Because there is a blue sky of possible value propositions we have developed a structured method that helps us to identify low hanging fruit, potential money makers as well as radical innovations. In our IoT workshops with clients or other stakeholders we develop a roadmap that places different value propositions in time and in specific market segments. It defines the functionalities these propositions need and how they will generate revenue. It is the first step in the development of every connected product wether it is B2B equipment or a true consumer product.
In the consecutive phases of development interaction plays a very big role. Smart products are all about interaction and the way interaction between user and technology works will greatly influence people’s behaviour. In order to test if the interaction has the preferred behavior as a result, we prototype our innovations often, fast and cheap!
In our prototyping workshop we do not only make the physical object including the electronic connecting capabilities. We also prototype the interface. With our design skills we define the way it looks, feels and sometimes the way it sounds. Always telling the right story. With these prototypes we can test and study how people interact with products and which variables can be tweaked to obtain the desired behavior. It is an iterative process leading to an optimized result.
The scope of our projects ranges from smart consumer products that collect valuable data to the maintenance optimization of B2B equipment. We have collected a few examples to give you a feel of what it might mean for you to get connected.
We have developed a unique IoT consumer product for aai.care, a subsidiary of a Korean company Marusys. First Breath is an indoor air quality monitor that scans the air and displays what your baby is actually breathing. The device is equipped with multiple sensors to provide real-time information on the status of the pollutants, while the app helps you maintain an optimal indoor environment for your family.
First Breath’s design emanates the warmth and love for those it is made for: babies. Its contemporary design appeals to the mindset of health-conscious parents and fits seamlessly with the aesthetics any baby room. The light ring indicates in a subtle, yet powerful manner when one of the four pollutants exceeds the threshold level. Along with the product, we also helped aai.care style the First Breath app.
We have developed a unique IoT consumer product for aai.care, a subsidiary of a Korean company Marusys. First Breath is an indoor air quality monitor that scans the air and displays what your baby is actually breathing. The device is equipped with multiple sensors to provide real-time information on the status of the pollutants, while the app helps you maintain an optimal indoor environment for your family.
First Breath’s design emanates the warmth and love for those it is made for: babies. Its contemporary design appeals to the mindset of health-conscious parents and fits seamlessly with the aesthetics any baby room. The light ring indicates in a subtle, yet powerful manner when one of the four pollutants exceeds the threshold level. Along with the product, we also helped aai.care style the First Breath app.
Because of disease related malnutrition many patients have to take medical nutrition every day. While dieticians and doctors emphasize that it helps to recover quicker, many patients decline to drink their daily bottle. Health care professionals lack the time to give these patients the attention that’s needed to monitor their therapy loyalty. As a result, patients don’t recover as quick as they could and experience a reduction of their quality of life.
Just in the Netherlands alone there are more than 200.000 patients like this. Not only is the prescribed medical nutrition wasted but more importantly this leads to associated costs of malnutrition of € 1.8 billion. We have the ambition to change the game of medical nutrition by connecting our experience in patient behavior with our knowledge of packaging technology and business models empowered by the Internet of Things.
In our concept, we use state of the art packaging technology that allows us to personalize packaging on a daily basis. The packaging platform enables family and friends to ‘nudge’ patients towards preferred behavior, stimulating them to take their drink every day. The bottle becomes a communication platform on which we can talk directly about the effects of a therapy. Because the effects of therapy are often only noticeable on a long term it’s important to constantly remind patients what the benefits of a therapy will be.
Another benefit is to empower healthcare professionals, the dietician, and doctors to better understand how patients behave. So we developed a smart saucer for our innovative bottle. That saucer recognizes what’s in the bottle and helps caregivers to ensure that they have served the right drink to the right person. But most of all it monitors what, when and how much patients drink.
Because of disease related malnutrition many patients have to take medical nutrition every day. While dieticians and doctors emphasize that it helps to recover quicker, many patients decline to drink their daily bottle. Health care professionals lack the time to give these patients the attention that’s needed to monitor their therapy loyalty. As a result, patients don’t recover as quick as they could and experience a reduction of their quality of life.
Just in the Netherlands alone there are more than 200.000 patients like this. Not only is the prescribed medical nutrition wasted but more importantly this leads to associated costs of malnutrition of € 1.8 billion. We have the ambition to change the game of medical nutrition by connecting our experience in patient behavior with our knowledge of packaging technology and business models empowered by the Internet of Things.
In our concept, we use state of the art packaging technology that allows us to personalize packaging on a daily basis. The packaging platform enables family and friends to ‘nudge’ patients towards preferred behavior, stimulating them to take their drink every day. The bottle becomes a communication platform on which we can talk directly about the effects of a therapy. Because the effects of therapy are often only noticeable on a long term it’s important to constantly remind patients what the benefits of a therapy will be.
Another benefit is to empower healthcare professionals, the dietician, and doctors to better understand how patients behave. So we developed a smart saucer for our innovative bottle. That saucer recognizes what’s in the bottle and helps caregivers to ensure that they have served the right drink to the right person. But most of all it monitors what, when and how much patients drink.
For UNESCO we developed the eSOS (emergency Sanitation Operating System), the first truly smart toilet. In disaster areas and refugee camps sanitation is a real problem. Of course, there is no sewage so sanitation depends on the use of latrines. The two main value propositions that we identified for the short term focus on maintenance and health.
Latrines depend greatly on emptying and cleaning on a very regular basis. Once tanks are full they must be emptied and cleaned in order to maintain an acceptable level of hygiene. Our smart toilet monitors the filling level and optimizes the efficiency of cleaning and emptying. It also predicts the amount of energy, fertilizer, and water that can be regained from waste streams.
The eSOS also helps to increase general quality of health. Naturally, because it increases hygiene but also because the waste streams (urine and fecal waste) can be analyzed. The volumes and the proportion of solid and liquid waste can be used as indicators for all kinds of health issues. We can learn things that relate to a more effective supply of food and drinking water. It may give insights in a potential threat of diarrhea and possibly the need for medical supplies.
For UNESCO we developed the eSOS (emergency Sanitation Operating System), the first truly smart toilet. In disaster areas and refugee camps sanitation is a real problem. Of course, there is no sewage so sanitation depends on the use of latrines. The two main value propositions that we identified for the short term focus on maintenance and health.
Latrines depend greatly on emptying and cleaning on a very regular basis. Once tanks are full they must be emptied and cleaned in order to maintain an acceptable level of hygiene. Our smart toilet monitors the filling level and optimizes the efficiency of cleaning and emptying. It also predicts the amount of energy, fertilizer, and water that can be regained from waste streams.
The eSOS also helps to increase general quality of health. Naturally, because it increases hygiene but also because the waste streams (urine and fecal waste) can be analyzed. The volumes and the proportion of solid and liquid waste can be used as indicators for all kinds of health issues. We can learn things that relate to a more effective supply of food and drinking water. It may give insights in a potential threat of diarrhea and possibly the need for medical supplies.
Elektronicaweg 22
2628 XG, Delft
The Netherlands